Thoroughbred Daily News

The most recent shifts in Northern California horse racing have prompted The Big Fresno Fair Board of Directors and Fair Management to make the decision to postpone horse racing in 2025, according to a press release from the operator on Wednesday.

Factors cited by the fair include, the uncertainty regarding the availability of horses, increased financial risk and the lack of a racing management collective for Northern California fairs. The decision allows for continued in-depth industry analysis to assess the viability of horse racing at the site before making any long-term determinations.

“This tough decision was made with careful consideration for the long-term economic health of The Big Fresno Fairs,” said CEO of The Big Fresno Fair, Christina Estrada. “It is a necessary step to fully evaluate the future of a successful horse race meet in Fresno, which is one aspect of our annual event that serves our community–both at Fair-time and year-round. We remain committed to exploring all options in an ever-evolving industry situation, and will continue working closely with industry leaders to assess potential paths forward. In the meantime, The Big Fresno Fair is determining alternate entertainment options in the Grandstand for our community to enjoy.”

The release also said that significant shifts in Northern California racing–such as the closing of Golden Gate Fields and the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) not seeking race applications at several locations–have changed the horse racing business model and created unprecedented challenges.

The Big Fresno Fair, which has put on horse racing dating back to 1883, is the fifth largest fair in the state and home to more than 250 interim events throughout the year.

The post Citing ‘Uncertainty’ Big Fresno Fair Postpones Horse Racing For 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Bidding is now open on the Fasig-Tipton Digital platform for the “Soul of an Angel Flash Sale,” a one-horse online auction of Eclipse Champion Female Sprinter Soul of an Angel (Atreides–Factor One, by The Factor), which will close Tuesday, Mar. 4, at 6 p.m. ET, the auction company said via a press release on Wednesday.

Soul of an Angel clinched Eclipse Champion Female Sprinter honors after she won the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar last fall. With a strong turn of foot, she swept past a field which included a trio of Grade I winners. For her effort, she earned a 3 3/4 Ragozin speed figure. Only Gamine (Into Mischief) recorded a faster number over the past 10 years of the race.

Earlier in her 2024 campaign, Soul of an Angel won the GII Ruffian Stakes in New York. She also cruised to an open length victory in the GIII Princess Rooney Stakes at Gulfstream. In the GIII Molly Pitcher Stakes she was only beaten by a head.

“An Eclipse Champion and Breeders' Cup Champion with outstanding physical conformation, Soul of an Angel is a true collector's item,” said Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “She uniquely suits a variety of programs both domestically and internationally.  We're honored to have the opportunity to showcase her on Fasig-Tipton Digital.”

Soul of an Angel is being offered as a racing/broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. She has current earnings of more than $1,200,000. The current 6-year-old is stabled at Gulfstream Park and available for inspection.

Prospective buyers may click here to view the entry and register to bid. Inquiries may be directed to Steve Castagnola of Taylor Made Sales Agency at (859) 684-8180.

The post Eclipse Champion Soul Of An Angel Offered On Fasig-Tipton Digital As Bidding Opens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Thoroughbred racing at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma is set to open for its spring season after a tornado hit the track after last year's meet concluded, according to a press release from the organization on Wednesday.

Will Rogers's barns were heavily damaged during the storm. New structures were completed back in January and the track reports that they are already at capacity for the season.

“It's incredible to see the resiliency of this property and the hard work put in by the staff to build it back more beautiful than ever,” said Danielle Barber, executive director of the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma. “We can't wait to welcome fans, owners and trainers for what promises to be an outstanding season.”

The 28-day Thoroughbred meet runs from Mar. 3 through Wednesday, May 14. Daily average purses are estimated at $170,000, with raises in the handicap, maiden and allowance categories.

“Horsemen are anxious to get back to racing at Will Rogers this spring. Last season we inaugurated the Blue Ribbon and Welder stakes races for Oklahoma-bred 3-year-olds in March that were well received,” said John Lies, who serves as the racing secretary, announcer and oddsmaker.

The post Will Rogers Downs Returns After Tornado Last Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 02/25/2025
Licensee: William Blair, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Dot on 1/19/25.

Date: 02/25/2025
Licensee: Dr. Larry Rickman Overly, veterinarian
Penalty: 36-month (18 months for each violation) of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 26, 2025; a fine of $25,000 ($12,500 for each violation). Admission.
Explainer: Possession of Testosterone and Isoxsuprine—both banned substances—for an event dated 7/23/24. There are no further details currently publicly available.
Date: 02/24/2025
Licensee: Alejandro Mendieta, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Pure Elegance during the race period.
Date: 02/24/2025
Licensee: Juan Munoz Cano, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 25, 2025; Disqualification of Both Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Treated as 1 violation. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Capsaicin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Iceatude, who won at Churchill Downs on 11/15/24, and Voodoo Zip, who won at Churchill Downs on 11/16/24.

Date: 02/21/2025
Licensee: John Salzman Sr., trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Happy Hour Joker on 1/16/25.
Date: 02/21/2025
Licensee: Roshan Samsundar, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Gringotts during the race period.
Date: 02/20/2025
Licensee: Robert James Gherardi, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 21, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of Internal Adjudication Panel.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Caffeine—controlled medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Little Pinch, who finished second at Albuquerque on 10/18/24.
Pending ADMC Violations
02/26/2025, Phil D'Amato, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Ms. Brightside, who won at Santa Anita on 1/1/25.

02/25/2025, Gustavo Delgado, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Avant Glory, who won at Gulfstream Park on 11/26/24.

02/25/2025, Angel Sanchez Pinero, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violations for the presence of Boldenone—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Magical Jaime on 8/5/24; For possession of Prasterone—a banned anabolic substance—for an event dated 12/5/24; And for the use or attempted use of a banned substance (Prasterone) on Magical Jaime during the race period, dated 12/5/24.

02/24/2025, Danny Morales, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from First Again, who finished second at Zia Park on 11/25/24.

The post National Regulatory Rulings: Feb. 20-26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation has opened its 2025 grant awards cycle, with money available to support students in pursuit of education in equine industry careers and to fund research efforts that better the life of the Thoroughbred racehorse.

Information regarding the grant award program can be found at www.terfusa.org. Grant applications will be accepted now through Apr. 1 for applications about equine education and scholarship support and June 30 for research grant funding applications.

Grant recipients will receive written notice of TERF's acceptance of their funding request and notice via phone or e-mail by June 30 of the application year for education and scholarship support and not later than Sept. 1 for research grant awards.

In 2024, TERF awarded $61,500 in education grants to seven organizations and $47,015 in research grants for three research projects.

The post TERF 2025 Grants Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Damon Thayer, who recently completed a 22-year tenure in the Kentucky State Senate, delivered the keynote address Tuesday at the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Convention in Safety Harbor, Florida. With a theme of “cooperation is always better than extinction,” Thayer's 35-minute address focused on the importance of horsemen in every racing jurisdiction building relationships with their state legislators.

“It's mind-boggling what a legislator has to absorb every day, and if an industry isn't aligned, the easiest thing for a legislator to do is to wash their hands of it and say, 'I'm a no,'” Thayer said. “But our industry [in Kentucky] got together quickly, because of this one truism: Cooperation is always better than extinction.

“Now, don't wait for a crisis,” he said. “Because there will be a crisis. A need. A break the glass, pull-the-fire-alarm moment. Build those relationships now, not just when you need something… When they're not in session, invite them to the racetrack, your farm, your training center, your vet clinic. They need to see the jobs. Tell them how many checks a month you write to vendors, to blacksmiths.

“And do not get complacent…. Because we have it now doesn't mean somebody isn't going to want to take it away. There are enemies of horse racing in Kentucky. You have to be vigilant. But you've got to build these relationships.”

Thayer also discussed his role as senior advisor to the newly formed Thoroughbred Racing Initiative, an industry collaboration, of which the National HBPA is part, which is working to defeat Florida's decoupling legislation.

“It looks like the skids are pretty greased in Tallahassee for [decoupling bill] to pass the House,” Thayer said. “So our goal is to kill the decoupling bill in the Senate. It's going to be a tough uphill climb. But we're all working together.”

Thayer said he believes the racing circuits that will survive and thrive in the next five to 10 years will be “states where the industry has great relationships with their legislators and legislature.” He cited Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Indiana and Arkansas “just to name a few.”

He said horsemen must ensure lawmakers hear their stories, adding, “Racing has a great story to tell about the jobs, the tourism and preservation of land and green space, the taxes paid, reinvestment in the economy.”

Thayer also noted other positives he sees in the industry, including Tina Bond's “Heart of Horse Racing” high-tech marketing venture and Equibase pursuing a system of race ratings in America; the rebuilding of Pimlico and construction of a training center in Maryland even as Maryland and Virginia work together to create the beginnings of a Mid-Atlantic circuit; while New York put up $500 million to rebuild Belmont Park.

“And then what I'm particularly fond of, the Kentucky story, where every track figures to offer maiden races for Kentucky-breds being $80,000 or more,” Thayer said. “We're seeing billions of dollars being spent on facilities in Kentucky because of a couple of laws we passed that allow the industry to invest in itself.”

Discussing the National HBPA's challenge to the constitutionality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, Thayer said, “HISA is a polarizing event in our industry. The bill snuck through in the dark of night in the budget reconciliation process by people I like and respect. I just disagree with them on this issue. I'm a state's rights guy. Tenth Amendment. The federal government should only do what the state's can't do for themselves…. I also don't think the federal government should foist on us an $85-million law and not pay for it. Why is it the states have to pay for a federal law?

“There are going to be states who decide they won't participate in HISA. They're going to forgo simulcasting rights under the Interstate Horse Racing Act [of 1978], and we're going to have less uniformity under that scenario than we had before the formation of HISA. There are a lot of people in my area code who are for it. I'd like to help be a voice to try to make it better or get it replaced with something better.”

Panels during Tuesday's opening session of the two-day National HBPA convention also included discussions on recommended steps trainers can take to diminish the chances of a horse's post-race drug test coming up positive for an impermissible substance and recommended actions to help mitigate potential sanctions if that positive finding occurs; as well as updates on the organization's challenges to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.

The post ‘Get to Know Your Legislators:’ Thayer Gives Keynote Address at HBPA Convention appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

5th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 2-22, 3yo, 5fT, :54.74, fm, 4 lengths.
PIVOTAL MOMENT (c, 3, Bolt d'Oro–Tipping Point, by Speightstown), third as the favorite after getting steadied at the start in his unveiling sprinting over the Aqueduct turf June 23, proved well worth the wait as the 9-5 favorite here. Adding blinkers and Lasix for this, he was outsprinted in sixth early, launched an eye-catching, sweeping move on the far turn and continued on in very impressive fashion down the stretch to win by a geared-down, four lengths. Proudly Hailed (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) was second. The winner is a half to Blame J D (Blame), SW, $300,919; a 2-year-old filly named Missy Moosey (Mendelssohn); and a yearling filly by Mo Town. Tipping Point was bred to Maximus Mischief for 2025. Sales history: $90,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $330,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $52,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Steven Bouchey & Steven Rocco; B-James W. Matheney (KY); T-Christophe Clement.

Pivotal Moment and @bravoace impressively score in the 5th race for @clementstable. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/0GKVk2s0f3

— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) February 22, 2025

The post Bolt d’Oro Colt Earns Diploma in Style Over Gulfstream Lawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC's Burnham Square (Liam's Map), who last captured the GIII Holy Bull Stakes Feb. 1, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.05 (2/13) Saturday morning at Palm Meadows in preparation for next Saturday's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.

The Ian Wilkes-trained colt finished the workout at Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County on even terms with stablemate Into Champagne (Into Mischief), who finished second in the GII Davona Dale Stakes and third in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks last year, before galloping out with energy.

“It was a solid five-eighths in 1:01,” said Wilkes. “He galloped out good. I loved the gallop-out. He galloped out really well. All good! He came off the track happy.”

At Palm Beach Downs, CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC's 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music) and Donegal Racing's Gate to Wire (Munnings) breezed a half-mile in company in :49.50 (11/22) Saturday morning for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. River Thames is scheduled to make his two-turn debut in the Fountain of Youth while Gate to Wire is also set to make his two-turn debut next Saturday after upsetting the seven-furlong Swale by nine lengths on the Holy Bull undercard.

St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Thoroughbreds' Keep It Easy (Hard Spun) also tuned up for the Fountain of Youth with a half-mile breeze in :48.72 (37/115) at Gulfstream Park. The Dale Romans-trainee is slated to make his 2025 debut next Saturday after taking the Ed Brown Stakes to finish out 2024.

In New Orleans, reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) tossed up a bullet work ahead of her expected start in the GII Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn March 8. The 4-year-old Kenneth McPeek trainee drilled five furlongs in 1:00.20 (1/32).

At Sanita Anita, Journalism (Curlin) and Romanesque (Practical Joke), both nominated to next weekend's GII DK Horse San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds, worked Saturday.

Work of the Day from @santaanitapark—Journalism (Outside), 1:01.00, and Phosphorescence, 1:01.20, worked 5 Furlongs on February 22nd, 2025, for trainer @mwmracing. #DKHorseSanFelipe pic.twitter.com/QOazBd8dNR

— 1/ST TV (@Watch1ST) February 22, 2025

Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, drilled five furlongs in 1:01 (17/30) and hasn't started since winning the GII Los Alamitos Futurity in December. Romanesque worked four furlongs from the gate in :47.20 (1/3) for trainer Bob Baffert.

Three horses nominated to the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile–Mi Hermano Ramon (Creative Cause), Formidable Man (City of Light) and Grand Aspen (Dialed In)–also worked. Mi Hermano Ramon earned a bullet when working five furlongs on the training track in :59 (1/14) for trainer Mark Glatt. The 5-year-old gelding most recently finished fourth in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. Also exiting the Pegasus Turf,  Grade I winner Formidable Man worked four furlongs on the main track in :47.60 (5/40) for McCarthy. Grand Aspen, trained by Jonathan Thomas, worked four furlongs on the training track in :48.80 (7/8).

The post Holy Bull Winner Burnham Square Leads Busy Saturday Work Tab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA — The eleventh-hour defection of horses like 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), reigning G1 Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River (Into Mischief) and GI Pegasus World Cup victor White Abarrio (Race Day) deprived the 2025 G1 Saudi Cup of at least some of its pre-race lustre. Remaining in the field of 14, however, were two of the world's top horses, having achieved their success heretofore in diametrically opposite ways.

Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) won the G3 Saudi Derby in 2024 in heart-stopping fashion, jockey Ryusei Sakai throwing him across the line to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. That was the beginning of a global invasion that saw the colt, trained by the master Yoshito Yahagi, finish a highly unlucky third in the GI Kentucky Derby after being hampered by Sierra Leone, and a more decisively beaten third to his close relative in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in November. He earned a maiden top-level score in the Tokyo Daishoten in late December.

Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), already a Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, Australia and Japan, was imperious in making  the G1 Jebel Hatta his 10th elite-level score not far from here in Dubai on Jan. 24, and he had been programmed for the Saudi Cup as many as five months ago, an audacious plan given that he had never tried the dirt under race conditions. If any horse might be up to that particular task, it was Romantic Warrior, many reasoned, and he was favoured against his more accomplished dirt rival in overseas markets.

The Arabic announcer at King Abdulzaziz Racetrack whipped the crowd into a literal frenzy as the Saudi Cup field circled the starting stalls midway up the chute. The 109 seconds that followed the springing of the stalls nearly defies description.

Drawn widest in gate 14, Forever Young broke well and was angled down to the inside by Sakai, already victorious aboard Shin Forever (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) for the same connections in the G2 Neom Turf Cup a few hours prior. The JRHA Select Sale grad was part of a four-way scrum for the early lead with anticipated front-runners, G1 Al Maktoum Challenge winner Walk of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to his inside and Al Musmak (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) to his right.

Romantic Warrior, customarily away quickly, bounced nicely from his low draw in three and James McDonald tucked the 7-year-old just in behind the leading group of four, showing no early signs that he might be struggling with the new surface.

Positions were mostly unchanged approaching the end of the back straight, and at that point, McDonald rolled the dice, angling out and around longshot Defunded (Dialed In) with fully half the distance yet to cover, and was therefore consigned to a five-wide run around the turn.

Romantic Warrior nevertheless continued to travel like a seasoned veteran and on the bridle, and he quickly moved up to the line of four and swept in front, looking every ounce a winner with Sakai and Forever Young left a bit flat-footed one off the fence turning in.

Romantic Warrior opened up on his rivals and they were partying in Wan Chai, but as he displayed when blousing out Book'em Danno (Bucchero) at the finish of last year's Saudi Derby, Forever Young loves a fight, and he began pegging back the margin with time ticking away. James McDonald was hard at work on Romantic Warrior and said post-race that his mount 'was not stopping', but Forever Young was kept after and proved narrowly better on the day in a race that won't soon be forgotten.

Previous Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) trailed down the back, but closed off well for third–albeit a very distant one–picking up more Saudi prizemoney after just losing his own heartbreaker 12 months ago. The final time for the 1800 meters was 1:49.10, which breaks the previous record of 1:49.50 set by Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) last year. Japanese runners swept the last four races on the card and now own multiple victories in each of the six group races on Saudi Cup night since the inception of the event in 2020.

It was a second Saudi Cup in three years for Yahagi, who sent out Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) to victory in 2023.

“This is my second win in the Saudi Cup, but no matter how many wins you have in the Saudi Cup, it is still a great feeling. I didn't have confidence; I believed in him,” the trainer said. “You know, when he came here to run in the Saudi Derby, he was not in the best condition and he still won. Since that time, he has improved a lot and was in better condition today. We will go to the [Apr. 5 G1] Dubai World Cup.”

Added Sakai: “He jumped very well from the wide gate in 14 and got into a nice position without a problem. It was my tactics to be in that situation. I believe in Forever Young, I never thought I'd lose the race. This is the best moment in my life.”

The Saudi Cup is a newly announced 'Win and You're In' qualifier for this year's Breeders' Cup Classic.

Romantic Warrior's $3.5-million payday takes his career earnings to a staggering $26.3 million. Connections were certainly feeling the sting of a difficult defeat, but expressed their pride in their horse.

“It's a good run for his first time on the dirt, only beaten by Forever Young. He is a top dirt horse, and he was only beaten by a head–it's a good run,” trainer Danny Shum told the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Declan Schuster. “We all did our best. I hope to win every time, but racing is racing. As long as he tries his best and it's a really good race–I think most of the people enjoyed the race.

“James said it was a good run. James is happy and I am happy. It was a great run and he beat the third horse by lengths. It was a good run, and we will run in the [$6-million G1 Dubai Turf [back at Meydan Apr. 5].”

McDonald chimed in and said: “He ran incredibly well. I was very proud of him. He flowed into the race well and used his momentum nicely, so it was a terrific effort.

“He was gallant in defeat, the race worked out perfectly for us, he got a little bit of kickback, sidled round just beautifully. I didn't alter my stride pace at all. It just shows what great horse Forever Young is and what a race was.”

Joel Rosario was pleased with the effort from America's Rattle N Roll (Connect), who came from well back for fifth and believes his horse would be suited for a step up to a mile and a quarter. The 6-year-old is also nominated to the World Cup.

Pedigree Notes:

Winner of the 2016 GII Santa Ynez Stakes, Forever Darling is the dam of four winners from five to race, including Forever Young's 2-year-old half-sister Brown Ratchet (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), who carried the Sunday Racing colors to a victory in last year's G3 Artemis Stakes on the turf.

Given her female family, it is not entirely surprising that Forever Darling might end up in Japan. Her stakes-winning and multiple Grade-I placed dam Darling My Darling is responsible for 2017 GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes victress Heavenly Love (Malibu Moon), the dam of the aforementioned Sierra Leone, and Darling My Darling is a half-sister to Japanese Horse of the Year and G1 Japan Cup hero Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn).

The A.P. Indy stallion Congrats has been a broodmare sire of considerable importance in Japan. His daughters have produced 45 starters in the country, 34 of which are winners, including four group-level winners. Congrats is also the sire of Top Decile, whose son Danon Decile (Jpn) took out the 2024 G1 Tokyo Yushun, and he is also the broodmare sire of Group 2 winner Hartley (Jpn) in addition to the aforementioned Brown Ratchet.

Forever Darling is also the dam of a 2-year-old filly by Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S), a yearling colt by Rey de Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) this past April and is due to foal a full-sibling to Forever Young in 2025.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SAUDI CUP-G1, $20,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-22, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 1800m, 1:49.10, gd.
1–FOREVER YOUNG (JPN), 125, c, 4, by Real Steel (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Forever Darling (GSW-US, $217,545,
                                by Congrats
                2nd Dam: Darling My Darling, by Deputy Minister
                3rd Dam: Roamin Rachel, by Mining
(¥98,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHJUL). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern
Racing (Jpn); T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Ryusei Sakai; $10,000,000.
Lifetime Record: G1SW-Jpn, MGISP-US, GSW-UAE, 10-8-0-2,
$14,248,207. *1/2 to Brown Ratchet (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}),
GSW-Jpn, $239,613. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Romantic Warrior (Ire),125, g, 7, Acclamation (GB)–Folk
Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire). (300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT).
O-Mr Lau Pak Fai Peter; B-Corduff Stud & T. J. Rooney (Ire);
T-Danny Shum; J-James McDonald; $3,500,000.
3–Ushba Tesoro (Jpn), 125, h, 8, Orfevre (Jpn)–Millefeui Attach
(Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). (¥25,000,000 Wlg '17
JRHJUL). O-Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings, Co., Ltd.; B-Chiyoda Farm
Shizunai (Jpn); T-Noboru Takagi; J-Akira Sugawara; $2,000,000.
Margins: NK, 10HF, 1 3/4.
Also Ran: Wilson Tesoro (Jpn), Rattle N Roll, Ramjet (Jpn), Facteur Cheval (Ire), Wait To Excel (GB), Wootton'sun (Fr), Defunded, Al Musmak (Ire), Walk Of Stars (GB), El Kodigo (Arg), Intense For Me (Arg). DNF: Scotland Yard. VIDEO.

FOREVER YOUNG #フォーエバーヤング!!!

He let Romantic Warrior go by and then ran him down late in the $20,000.000 @TheSaudiCup (G1)! The Real Steel colt takes the #WAYI @BreedersCup Classic race for trainer Yoshito Yahagi. Jockey Ryusei Sakai brings the big one home for Japan! pic.twitter.com/cEBhyw8g5Z

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 22, 2025

The post Duel In the Desert: Forever Young Pips Romantic Warrior In An Epic Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In racing as in life, good things come to those who wait. And while we have had to endure an extra 24 hours for Sunday's rescheduled GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, the wait may just prove worth it as a full, competitive field of 3-year-olds line up with 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby on the line.

The top three runners from the GIII Southwest Stakes face each other once again Sunday with Speed King (Volatile) taking top billing back on Jan. 25 over a hard-closing Sandman (Tapit) who caught the eye with his runner-up finish after breaking sideways and nearly dropping jockey Christian Torres at the start.

“Take nothing away from the winner, but, yes, I think we would have won with a clean break,” trainer Mark Casse told the TDN Writers' Room this week of Sandman. “I knew going in that we were going to find out whether he was a man or a boy. I think he proved he was a man. We all know that a lot of horses, even a lot of good horses, are not able to be to overcome what he was able to overcome. So I don't know about everybody else, but I came away from the race extremely impressed.”

The trio rounds out with Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) who also came running at the end to earn his third straight graded stakes placing after coming second in the GIII Street Sense and third in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club last year. Trainer Bob Baffert ships in Madaket Road (Quality Road), a runner he thought so highly of that he debuted him in the GIII Bob Hope Stakes where he ran a game second to 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner) (who will scratch from this spot due to a fever) before breaking his maiden next-time out and running third to Eclipse-winning stablemate Citizen Bull (Into Mischief). Rail-drawn Coal Battle (Coal Front) comes in off three straight wins including the first of the local preps at Oaklawn in the Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 4 along with the Springboard Mile where he defeated Speed King Dec. 13.

“After the (Smarty Jones), we go to the test barn, get back to the barn with him, and he's bucking and kicking down the shed row,” trainer Lonnie Briley said of Coal Battle. “Next day, it was like he didn't even run.”

Another on a three-race streak is Louisiana-bred Smoken Wicked (Bobby's Wicked One) for Dallas Stewart while 'TDN Rising Star' Hypnus (Into Mischief) makes just his second start for trainer Kenneth McPeek after impressing over the Fair Grounds slop at long odds Jan. 18 while Brad Cox, who won the Rebel last year with 'Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief), brings out another 'Rising Star' in Admiral Dennis (Constitution).

Muhimma | Sarah Andrew

Cox also features strongly in the GIII Honeybee Stakes, a Kentucky Oaks points race, earlier in the card with 'TDN Rising Star' Muhimma (Munnings) drawing the rail in an attempt to stay perfect off her win in last year's GII Demoiselle Stakes Dec. 7.

“Super talent,” said Cox. “Been good from Day 1. We'll see where she takes us, but she's obviously shown the ability to win from the 1 hole already, in a large field at Aqueduct.”

The top two finishers of Oaklawn's local prep, the Martha Washington Stakes, also reappear here as Kenneth McPeek's Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) led in 'TDN Rising Star' and MGISP Quietside (Malibu Moon) over course and distance Jan. 25. Talented juvenile Quickick (McKinzie), last seen third behind Eclipse-winning filly Immersive (Nyquist) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar, reemerges here off two straight Grade I placings to round out 2024 (she was also second to Immersive in the GI Darley Alcibiades). Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro) makes her third start for Michael McCarthy after debuting for the late Ben Cecil at Del Mar in November. She took the Santa Ynez Stakes Jan. 5 after running second to Tenma (Nyquist) in the GII Starlet Stakes last year.

Older horses feature in the GIII Razorback Handicap which includes the return of Godolphin homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense {Ire}) for Brad Cox. The 5-year-old last trailed home seventh in the GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga last summer but previously took both the GIII Essex Handicap at Oaklawn and the GII Alyshebe Stakes at Churchill last year.

“He's training really well,” Cox said. “Obviously, he's proven over the racetrack. I'm excited about getting him started.”

He's drawn inside of Baddest Good Boy (Bernardini) for Norm Casse who makes his stakes debut Sunday and brings a perfect two-for-two record in both over the local surface. Readers will recognize plenty of familiar names in the field including: MGSW/GISP Red Route One (Gun Runner), GI Preakness third Creative Minister (Creative Cause), GSW/MGISP Skinner (Curlin) who makes his second start for Cherie DeVaux, and GSW/MGISP Crupi (Curlin) for the partnership of Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable.

First Mission | Horsephotos

“He's doing really well,” DeVaux said of Skinner. “Came out of his last race and trained forwardly. We didn't have him all that long, prior to his start. Hoping he puts in another good effort for us. His (speed) figures are kind of steady where they are, but I think there's room for improvement as he matures and he has matured.”

The post Weather-Delayed Rebel Promises Southwest Rematch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA — For the second time in the last three runnings, America's reigning champion sprinter dominated in the desert, as MyRacehorse's Straight No Chaser (Speightster) asserted in the final furlong to prove a much-the-best winner of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint. The 1200-meter dash was upgraded to Group 2 status for the first time, had its purse hiked to $2 million and just this past Friday was named a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Champion Elite Power (Curlin) won the 2023 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.

It was that event at Del Mar nearly four months ago that capped off a championship season for Straight No Chaser, and the ownership group quickly decided on a trip to the Middle East at the front end of the season. The first part of that plan came together brilliantly on Saturday.

Away alertly from the nine hole, the $110,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic breezer led through the opening exchanges, but was soon overhauled by the bald face of the speedy Japanese galloper Jasper Krone (Frosted) and raced underneath that rival into the turn.

A horse with a well-documented 'light mouth', Straight No Chaser was under an easy hold traveling extremely well entering the final 400 meters and, as is his custom, he finished off his race with gusto en route to a convincing victory. The locally based Muqtahem (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}) raced reasonably handy to the pace and claimed second ahead of Japan's Gabby's Sister (Jpn) (Apollo Kingdom) in third.

“He broke really well and I was actually, after Jasper Krone came up on the outside, going to see if I could get him back a little bit and tried to grab him,” explained winning jockey John Velazquez. “He started to fight me, so I just said, 'OK, I'll leave him alone' and then he relaxed a little better. He broke so sharp and I was trying to get loose reins.

Then he was looking for the bit and I didn't want to touch him. I just wanted him to relax. All of a sudden [Jasper Krone] took back a little bit and my horse engaged and I said, 'Let's go'. Turning for home he was moving really well and then passing the sixteenth pole he idled a little bit and started looking around and I said, 'Oh no, no idling here' and he finished up well.”

Added winning trainer Dan Blacker: “I'm just really proud of the horse and I'm glad he gets to prove himself on the global stage against the fastest horses in the world.”

Straight No Chaser will in all likelihood get to take his show on the road to Dubai, where a potentially mouthwatering clash looms with defending champion Tuz (Oxbow) in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Apr. 5.

Pedigree Notes:

The lone elite-level scorer for his sadly departed stallion, Straight No Chaser is one of six winners from eight to race from his dam, who is also responsible for the stakes-winning Hangover Saturday. Third dam Desireux was a half-sister to champion sprinter Housebuster (Mt. Livermore). Margarita Friday is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Omaha Beach, a yearling colt by Practical Joke and was most recently covered by Authentic.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
RIYADH DIRT SPRINT-G2, $2,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-22, NH/SH3yo/up, 1200m, 1:11.16, ft.
1–STRAIGHT NO CHASER, 125, h, 6, by Speightster
                1st Dam: Margarita Friday, by Johannesburg
                2nd Dam: Smile Maker, by Capote
                3rd Dam: Desireux, by Fappiano
($110,000 2yo '21 FTIMAY). O-My Racehorse; B-John Eaton &
Steve Laymon (KY); T-Dan Blacker; J-John Velazquez;
$1,200,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Male Sprinter-US, GISW-US,
11-7-0-1, $2,616,300. *1/2 to Hangover Saturday (Pomeroy),
SW-US, $106,875. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Muqtahem (Ire), 125, g, 4, Soldier's Call (GB)–Smooth Sailing
(GB), by Bated Breath (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP
BLACK TYPE. (£27,000 Ylg '22 GOFAUG; £60,000 2yo '23
GOFAPR). O-Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah;
B-Ballyhane (Ire); T-Thamer Aldaihani; J-Muhammad Aldaham;
$400,000.
3–Gabby's Sister (Jpn), 121, f, 4, Apollo Kingdom–Ange d'Etoile
(Jpn), by Special Week (Jpn). O-Kazuhiko Nagashima; B-Apollo
Thoroughbred Club (Jpn); T-Kazutomo Mori; J-Christophe
Lemaire; $200,000.
Margins: 3 3/4, HF, 3.
Also Ran: Halaa, Saodad (KSA), Ancestral Land (GB), Remake (Jpn), Power Of Beauty (Ire), Jasper Krone, Chikappa (Jpn), Igniter (Jpn), Nonesense.

HOW IMPRESSIVE WAS STRAIGHT NO CHASER?!?!

He did not mess around in the $2,000,000 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) at @TheSaudiCup. @dan_blacker trains the @MyRacehorse stallion. @ljlmvel piloted him perfectly. Congrats to all the connections!

Play the next: https://t.co/ebKi95dING pic.twitter.com/dvbN7cO4Z7

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 22, 2025

The post Champion Straight No Chaser Far Too Classy In Riyadh Dirt Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Racing at Oaklawn Park has been cancelled for Saturday, it was announced Friday evening.

The GII Rebel Stakes card remains on schedule for Sunday with first post at 12:00 p.m., gates and infield open at 10:30 a.m. The Monday card will also run as scheduled, first post 12:30 p.m., gates open at 11:00 a.m.

There was a winter storm in the Hot Springs area earlier this week.

The post Oaklawn Cancels Saturday Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Godolphin's First Resort (Uncle Mo) will scratch from Saturday's $175,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park after exiting a workout earlier this week with stiffness in his left hind leg, according to trainer Eoin Harty.

The 2-1 morning-line favorite was set to make his 3-year-old debut following a victory in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club last fall at Churchill Downs. He worked a half-mile in :51.20 (8/11) at Turfway Tuesday.

“I worked him (Tuesday), and by Wednesday he was a little stiff behind,” Harty said. “He hasn't really improved, so we're erring on the side of caution to get him back to 100 percent before he runs again.”

The John Battaglia Memorial will award the top five finishers qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale toward a spot in the starting gate for the GI Kentucky Derby.

The post First Resort to Scratch from Saturday’s John Battaglia Memorial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The world's richest horse race will serve as a qualifier for the richest race in North America, as the Feb. 22 $20-million G1 Saudi Cup joins the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, offering an automatic berth to the $7-million GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Saudi Cup to start in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Also on the Feb. 22 card, the $2-million G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint will serve as an automatic qualifier for the $2-million GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint.

“Breeders' Cup Limited is pleased to expand our international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series to Saudi Arabia with the addition of the Saudi Cup and the Riyadh Dirt Sprint,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. “This expansion underscores our commitment to fostering world-class competition and provides a fantastic opportunity for international horses competing at the highest level. We're grateful for the collaborative efforts that brought this partnership to fruition and eagerly anticipate crowning our first Breeders' Cup Challenge winners from King Abdulaziz Racecourse.”

“There is a natural synergy between the Breeders' Cup World Championships and The Saudi Cup,” said HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Al Faisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia. “We are delighted to be part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series and very much appreciate being a member of the Breeders' Cup global family.

“The winner of the Group 1 The Saudi Cup and the Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Saudi National Bank will earn a spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic and the Breeders' Cup Sprint, adding an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to our race day.”

Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.

The post Saudi Cup Added to Breeders’ Cup Challenge Qualifiers for Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Just a Touch (Justify), a fantastic second behind subsequent GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in last spring's GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, is nearing a return to action.

Last seen coming up just a head short for Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing and Marc Detampel in the Iowa Derby July 6, the 4-year-old has posted seven workouts at Brad Cox's Payson Park base this year, most recently breezing five furlongs in 1:01.80 (3/13) Feb. 15.

“He's doing great,” said Hunter Valley Farm's Fergus Galvin, who serves as an U.S. advisor to Qatar Racing's Sheikh Fahad.

“We gave him a nice bit of time off last year after the Iowa Derby. He had a lot thrown at him in the spring, tough for a young horse. We turned him out here at the farm for three months. He did a couple of months at WinStar to leg him back up, then he went down to Payson. Brad has been delighted with him, training great. He's very bullish about him for this year.”

A very sharp debut winner sprinting in the slop at Fair Grounds, Just a Touch was immediately thrown into the deep end and ran extremely well in defeat in his next two starts, earning a spot in the starting gate for the GI Kentucky Derby after finishing second in both the GIII Gotham Stakes and Blue Grass, respectively. He earned a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure in the latter.

Last of 20 at a well-backed 11-1 on the first Saturday in May, Just a Touch faced the starter just one more time in 2024, his aforementioned runner-up finish as the 3-5 favorite at Prairie Meadows.

Just a Touch could resurface in a first-level allowance in “about two or three weeks,” per Galvin.

“We'll start him off nice and easy, most likely in a 1x somewhere,” Galvin said. “Brad's gonna step him up, I would think, pretty quick after his first race. He's training exceptionally well and has always been a good training horse, that's why we put him on such a trail last year.”

Galvin added, “Fingers crossed, given his size and pedigree, we think he'll have a big year.”

After RNA'ing for $170,000 as a KEESEP yearling, the Don Alberto Corporation-bred Just a Touch brought $125,000 from Scanlon Training & Sales as a FTKOCT yearling, then $300,000 from Galvin after breezing in a bullet :9 4/5 as an OBSAPR 2-year-old. Just a Touch's dam Touching Beauty (Tapit), an $800,000 KEENOV purchase by Don Alberto in 2014, won the 2010 GIII Comely Stakes at Aqueduct. The Justify x Tapit cross has also produced Champions Dream, one of 18 graded/group winners worldwide for the 2018 Triple Crown winner.

The post Blue Grass Runner-Up Just a Touch ‘Training Exceptionally Well’ Ahead of Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Horse Racing Women's Association (HRWA) has scheduled its first event of the season, which will take place beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, Mar. 28 at Gulfstream Park, according to a press release from the group on Friday.

The day includes opportunities for networking, learning, and sports some friendly competition for all attendees. Local guest speaker Sheri Holmes Stirling, Vice President of Administration at the track, will offer remarks.

Participants will have the opportunity to enhance their handicapping skills through a seminar led by Samantha Perry and Claudia Spadaro.

Click here for more information.

The post HRWA Kicks Off Season With Handicapping Event At Gulfstream Park Mar. 28 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission (PSHRC), are pursuing cases against one veterinarian and 13 trainers in connection with an organized effort to evade HISA rules designed to protect and enhance the health and safety of horses and riders, according to a press release from the regulator on Friday.

A coordinated investigation–first reported in an article published in the TDN–led by the PSHRC revealed that veterinarian Dr. Allen Post Bonnell allegedly conspired with the implicated trainers from May 2023 through November 2024 to administer intra-articular injections to the joints of Covered Horses within the prohibited stand-down periods, in direct violation of HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) and Racetrack Safety Programs—whose rules are in place to safeguard equine health and ensure fair competition.

As a result of the alleged violations, HISA and HIWU will pursue sanctions against these Covered Persons as described in HISA's rules, including the disqualification of more than 100 horses from previous race results and subsequent forfeiture of purses, periods of Ineligibility for the Covered Persons and fines. While all horses were allegedly injected at Penn National Race Course, they participated in races at 10 different racetracks subject to HISA's rules, across six different states.

HISA has verified that of the more than 100 unique horses alleged to have breezed or raced in violation of HISA's intra-articular stand down times, 30% never raced again, strongly suggesting these injections were used to mask pain. Approximately 10% were observed to be lame post-race by a regulatory veterinarian. Three horses were euthanized as a direct result of injuries sustained in those races.

“This egregious breach of integrity and intentional undermining of equine welfare is a stark reminder of why rigorous oversight and enforcement are critical to the future of horse racing,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “The health and safety of horses and jockeys are paramount, and those who deliberately put them at risk will be held accountable.”

From the inception of the ADMC Program on May 22, 2023 through July 7, 2024, HIWU enforced intra-articular injection rule violations. As of July 8, 2024, HISA has been enforcing intra-articular injection protocols under its revised Racetrack Safety Program.

Further details, including disciplinary actions and sanctions against those involved, will be released in accordance with the disclosure requirements under the Racetrack Safety Program and ADMC Program. HISA, HIWU and the PSHRC remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting the integrity of the sport and the welfare of its equine and human athletes.

The post HISA and HIWU Pursue Pennsylvania Cases Against Veterinarian And 13 Trainers In Widespread Conspiracy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The new Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) has hired veteran John Banno as Director of Racing Surfaces, the organization said in a press release on Friday morning.

Previously the superintendent at Thistledown, Banno brings over 30 years of industry experience to the role. He will oversee the TMJC track team as they maintain the dirt surfaces at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course, and the brand-new training center at Shamrock Farm.

“John is the perfect fit for the Maryland Jockey Club,” said President and General Manager Bill Knauf. “He has a proven track record and great experience. We look forward to his work on the new Pimlico Race Course and new training center.”

Banno started working at Thistledown as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator before assuming the role of superintendent in 2003. In addition to managing the racing surface at Thistledown, Banno was also responsible for maintaining compliance and contractor relations with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture.

Laurel Park also named Danny Finke as Track Superintendent. Finke served as Interim Track Superintendent before the promotion.

The post Veteran Track Super To Manage Dirt Surfaces For Maryland Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA — Fourteen horses with Grade I or Group 1 form from America, Argentina, Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan and even Uruguay will take their chance at the winner's share of the $20-million gross purse for the world's richest horse race, Saturday's G1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. And few of them are without some sort of chance.

Susumu Fujita's Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) returns to the Saudi capital 12 months on from a last-lunge success in the G3 Saudi Derby and looks to become the first to complete the double. Unlucky to not post a better finish when third in the GI Kentucky Derby, he returned to the U.S. for a crack at the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, but he arguably sat too close to a very quick tempo after drawing the inside and felt the pinch late when third to would-be Saudi Cup starter 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and fellow 'Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light). He exits a smooth success over the running-on Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and Ramjet (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior) in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten in late December, a first elite-level success, but not likely the last.

Jockey Ryusei Sakai remains predictably bullish and said: “He travelled to Riyadh very well. He has been very relaxed and looked confident since he has arrived. I have no worries about him. He is a very versatile type of horse and can handle any type of track condition.”

If there was any consternation in drawing the widest barrier in 14 for Saturday's 1800-metre contest, trainer Yoshito Yahagi was certainly not letting on, saying only that an outside alley was preferred to one on the inside.

Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), the 2023 G1 Dubai World Cup winner who was just caught on the wire of last year's Saudi Cup, is the fourth and perhaps–remarkably–weakest of the Japanese challenge.

Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) makes a much-anticipated first dirt appearance as he looks to join the likes of Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and the Yahagi-trained Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) as seasoned turf horses to make a successful transition. The 10-times Group 1 winner has made a more favourable impression in his local dirt work than over the main track at Meydan, where he has been stabled since late December, but the surface itself isn't necessarily the concern in the eyes of trainer Danny Shum.

“He can handle the dirt, I don't know how he'll handle the kickback,” Shum told the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia's Martin Kelly during a Thursday press conference. “Some horses can handle it and others will shorten their stride. This is normal. You never know until they're past the winning post. He looks very fit. Physically, in all his career, this time he's the best in his life.”

Given his draw in three, the kickback could have a say in the outcome, but in Romantic Warrior, you have a horse that has taken everything that has been thrown at him in his stride and it would be foolish to discount his chances.

Trainer Danny Shum casts an eye across Romantic Warrior | JCSA

Rattle N Roll (Connect) will look to become the third US-based winner of the Saudi Cup and the 6-year-old earned his way into the race with a 4 3/4-length thumping of Wait To Excel (GB) (Postponed {Ire}) and the commonly owned Wootton'sun (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (King's Cup) on Jan. 22. Joel Rosario jets in from the States and trainer Ken McPeek will give the Dominican carte blanche where it comes to tactics.

“You don't tell Picasso or Rembrandt how to paint, you give him a brush,” the conditioner quipped Thursday.

Trainer Bhupat Seemar had intended to start reigning Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River (Into Mischief) in the Saudi Cup, but a minor injury dictates his absence with an eye on a repeat bid at Meydan six weeks from now. The Zabeel Stables boss is nevertheless represented by Walk of Stars (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a participant in the G1 Derby for Godolphin in 2022, who has since found a new home on the dirt. He most recently defeated 2024 G1 Dubai Turf hero Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) soundly into third in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge over 1900 metres and could be the one they'll have to catch on Saturday.

Of Facteur Cheval, his trainer Jerome Reynier said: “His best performance was in the Dubai Turf last year over 1800m, left-handed. It's the same conditions in The Saudi Cup, except that it is run on the dirt.

“Facteur Cheval is a very strong individual, who always delivers, he is just a very special horse. Even if we might struggle to be as competitive as Forever Young or the other true dirt specialists, who are international champions, being placed in this race is already an achievement.”

The G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini is not often a test that produces runners in a race such as this, but the 2024 renewal sees its top two finishers–Intense for Me (Arg) (Fortify) and El Kodigo (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg})–line up here. The latter, exiting a top-level score at Maronas in Montevideo, Uruguay, is widely regarded as the best dirt horse in South America and both horses are owned by Muhaideb Abdullah A Almuhaideb.

Al Musmak (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) won last year's Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes for Roger Varian and was impressive in landing a course-and-distance conditions event Jan. 4. Former US Grade I winner Defunded (Dialed In) completes the field.

In addition to Forever Young, the winners of three of the five other races from 2024 are back in search of repeat Riyadh riches.

• The Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) defeated Japan's Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) in last year's G2 Neom Turf Cup (2100m) and the three renew acquaintances on Saturday. The field also includes G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin hero Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), the €2.1-million 2022 Arqana August topper who makes his first start for the Forever Young connections since dead-heating for second in the G1 Japan Cup in November.

• The Mick Appleby-trained Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) made the 2024 G2 1351 Turf Sprint his own and he, too, is back in Riyadh against challengers from America, Bahrain, Japan and Qatar. Of note are Listed Dubai Duty Free Stakes winner Witness Stand (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}), having his first run for Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole; and the locally based Malyan (Ire) (Sioux Nation), never worse than third in 10 starts in Riyadh and winner of five on the trot, including the local qualifier on Jan. 24.

• An eight-length winner of the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes over two miles last fall, Al Nayyir (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) carries top weight of 62kg (136 pounds) into Saturday's G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap (3000m) against the likes of Wathnan Racing's Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) and Deira Mile (GB) (Camelot {GB}), last seen crossing the line third, but demoted to fourth in the G1 St Leger in September.

• Remake (Jpn) (Lani) carried Yuga Kawada to an easy win in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint 12 months ago, but arrives in more questionable form this time around, having done no running whatsoever behind Straight No Chaser (Speightster) in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in early November. Gabby's Sister (Jpn) (Apollo Kingdom) and Chikappa (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) also look to give Japan a fourth win in the race, while the outgoing Jimmy Jerkens saddles the sneaky Ancestral Land (GB) (Sioux Nation).

• Japan also goes for a fourth win in the G3 Saudi Derby, with the undefeated filly Myriad Love (Jpn) (New Year's Day) a real chance to make it four-from-four in her career against G3 UAE 2000 Guineas winner Golden Vekoma (Vekoma) and US raider Cyclone State (McKinzie), impressive in winning the Listed Jerome Stakes last time.

The post Worldwide Formlines Converge In Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The $20-million G1 Saudi Cup and much of its accompanying card will air in the U.S. Saturday, Feb. 22 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on FS2, according to a release from the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Thursday. The 'Golden Hour' telecast will air from noon-1 p.m., with a scheduled post time for the Saudi Cup at 12:40 p.m.

Following the Saudi Cup broadcast, America's Day at the Races will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday on FS2 with live coverage from Aqueduct Racetrack and Oaklawn Park.

The post Saudi Cup Television Coverage on FS2 Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.